title: A clinical protocol for predicting outcomes with an implantable prosthetic device (Baha) in patients with single-sided deafness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Baha implant is increasingly becoming a common form of treatment for individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD). However, evidence-based guidelines for determining candidacy in these patients are not yet established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of speech-in-noise testing as a part of the preoperative evaluation of the Baha device in patients with SSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was a prospective cohort of 24 English-speaking adults comparing preoperative results on speech-in-noise measures using the Baha Cordelle II headband stimulator to postoperative results using the patient's external Baha processor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss as measured by the QuickSIN™ and scores of self-reported disability questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wilcoxon signed-rank test resulted in no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative methods for measuring benefit on listening in noise tasks. Passing Bablok regression analysis showed the preoperative and postoperative results to be statistically equivalent, which suggests that postoperative results can be predicted during preoperative testing. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant improvements in self-reported disability postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support the use of speech-in-noise measures as an accurate predictor of overall benefit in patients with SSD prior to implantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, FL, USA. hsnapp@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Hillary A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Snapp
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fabry
authors.forename: Fred F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Telischi
authors.forename: Kristopher L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Arheart
authors.forename: Simon I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Angeli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D001302:Audiometry, Speech / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D046088:Hearing Loss, Unilateral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult